Top of the 9th

Another first - a real closer comes in to protect a lead in the ninth inning during spring training.

Todd Jones, who has 301 career saves, enters to preserve a 6-2 lead.

He doesn't.

A sacrifice fly, and a double by Luis Cruz cuts Pittsburgh's deficit to 6-4 with one out and two on. Kevin Thompson follows with a two-run double off the glove of left fielder Brent Clevlen - who made an error earlier in the inning - and the Pirates have tied the game at 6.

Yes! Nothing like a rally to prolong a meaningless spring game! (Believe me - the players and managers are in complete agreement with me on this one).

Following a Andrew McCutchen strike out, Xavier Nady walks.

Cue the Steve Pearce Fan Club.

The hometown hero stands in against new Tiger pitcher Francis Beltran. Again, however, he comes up empty, grounding out to third.

6-6 heading into the bottom of the ninth.